ANIMALS, BIRDS AND DR. DOLITTLE – Class 7 : English
SUMMARY
This lesson is taken from The Story of Doctor Dolittle.
Dr. Dolittle was a kind doctor who lived in a small town.
He loved animals and birds more than anything else.
People stopped visiting him because he had so many animals in his house.
He had pets like dogs, cats, ducks, and parrots who lived happily with him.
Dr. Dolittle learned the language of animals and birds with the help of his parrot, Polynesia.
Once he understood them, he became a great animal doctor (veterinarian).
Animals and birds came from faraway places to get treated by him.
His kindness and ability to speak to animals made him famous everywhere.
Main Idea: The story shows the value of love, kindness, and communication with animals. It teaches us to treat them as friends and care for them as living beings.
WORD MEANINGS
Physician – doctor
Parrot – a colorful bird that can imitate speech
Veterinarian – animal doctor
Polynesia – name of Dr. Dolittle’s parrot
Queer – strange / unusual
Affection – love and care
Chatter – continuous talking (of animals/birds)
Grateful – thankful
Companion – friend, partner
Sympathy – understanding and kindness
SHORT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Who was Dr. Dolittle?
A: He was a kind doctor who loved animals and birds.
Q: Where did Dr. Dolittle live?
A: In a small town.
Q: Why did people stop visiting Dr. Dolittle?
A: Because he kept too many animals in his house.
Q: Name Dr. Dolittle’s pet parrot.
A: Polynesia.
Q: What did Polynesia teach Dr. Dolittle?
A: The language of animals and birds.
Q: What did Dr. Dolittle become famous for?
A: Treating and curing animals.
Q: What does the story show about Dr. Dolittle?
A: His love and kindness for animals.
Q: Why did animals come from faraway places?
A: To be treated by Dr. Dolittle.
Q: What was Dr. Dolittle’s special gift?
A: He could speak with animals and birds.
Q: What kind of doctor was Dr. Dolittle finally?
A: A veterinarian.
Q: How did animals feel at Dr. Dolittle’s home?
A: Happy and safe.
Q: Why is Polynesia important in the story?
A: She taught Dr. Dolittle the animal language.
Q: What kind of person was Dr. Dolittle?
A: Kind, loving, and sympathetic.
Q: What lesson does the story teach us?
A: To love and care for animals.
Q: Why did people find Dr. Dolittle strange?
A: Because he preferred animals over humans.
Q: What is the name of the book from which this lesson is taken?
A: The Story of Doctor Dolittle.
Q: How did Dr. Dolittle’s kindness help him?
A: It made him friends with animals.
Q: Who was Dr. Dolittle’s first teacher of animal language?
A: Polynesia, the parrot.
Q: Why did Dr. Dolittle stop treating human patients?
A: Because people stopped visiting him.
Q: What quality made Dr. Dolittle popular among animals?
A: His sympathy and care.
Q: How did Polynesia speak?
A: Like a human being.
Q: How did animals express gratitude to Dr. Dolittle?
A: By loving and obeying him.
Q: What did Dr. Dolittle enjoy more—human company or animal company?
A: Animal company.
Q: What does the word ‘veterinarian’ mean?
A: An animal doctor.
Q: Why did Dr. Dolittle keep many animals?
A: Because he loved them.
Q: What did Dr. Dolittle’s house look like?
A: Full of animals and birds.
Q: What lesson do we learn from Polynesia?
A: Animals are intelligent and can communicate.
Q: How did Dr. Dolittle treat animals?
A: With love, patience, and care.
Q: What is the central idea of the story?
A: Kindness towards animals.
Q: How was Dr. Dolittle different from other doctors?
A: He treated animals, not just humans.
Q: Why did Polynesia want to help Dr. Dolittle?
A: Because she loved him.
Q: What did Dr. Dolittle gain by learning animal language?
A: He could understand their problems better.
Q: How do animals communicate in the story?
A: Through their own language.
Q: Who were Dr. Dolittle’s best companions?
A: His pets.
Q: What made Dr. Dolittle world-famous?
A: His skill in treating animals.
Q: Why did people consider Dr. Dolittle queer (strange)?
A: Because he gave more time to animals than humans.
Q: What message does the story give to children?
A: To love and protect animals.
Q: What do animals teach us, according to the story?
A: Loyalty, love, and friendship.
Q: What does Polynesia symbolize?
A: Knowledge and communication between humans and animals.
Q: What did Dr. Dolittle prove through his life?
A: That love and kindness can win everyone’s heart.
LONG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q:Describe Dr. Dolittle’s love for animals.
Ans:Dr. Dolittle loved animals more than anything else. He kept many pets at his home and treated them like family. He spent time caring for them, which shows his deep affection.
Q:Why did people stop visiting Dr. Dolittle as a doctor?
Ans:People stopped visiting him because he had too many animals in his house. They thought he cared more for animals than for his human patients.
Q:How did Polynesia help Dr. Dolittle?
Ans:Polynesia, the parrot, taught Dr. Dolittle the language of animals. This helped him to understand animals’ needs and problems.
Q:What happened after Dr. Dolittle learned animal language?
Ans:He became a successful veterinarian. Animals from far and wide came to him for treatment, making him famous.
Q:How was Dr. Dolittle different from other doctors?
Ans:Unlike other doctors who treated only humans, Dr. Dolittle treated animals and birds. His kindness made him unique.
Q:What lesson does the story teach us?
Ans:The story teaches us to show love, kindness, and sympathy towards animals, as they too are living beings.
Q:Why did animals trust Dr. Dolittle?
Ans:Because he cared for them, spoke their language, and treated them with love.
Q:Explain the role of Polynesia in the story.
Ans:Polynesia was not just a pet parrot but also Dr. Dolittle’s guide and teacher. She made him understand animal language, changing his life.
Q:How did Dr. Dolittle become famous among animals?
Ans:His ability to understand their language and cure them made him popular among animals worldwide.
Q:Why do you think Dr. Dolittle preferred animals to humans?
Ans:Because animals were loyal, loving, and honest, while people often misunderstood him.
Q:What qualities of Dr. Dolittle should we learn?
Ans:We should learn kindness, patience, sympathy, and love for all creatures.
Q:What problems did Dr. Dolittle face in his life?
Ans:People avoided him, he lost his patients, and he was considered strange. But he never gave up his love for animals.
Q:Why was Dr. Dolittle’s work important?
Ans:It showed that animals deserve care and respect just like humans.
Q:What do you understand by ‘communication between man and animals’?
Ans:It means understanding and responding to animals’ feelings and needs, which Dr. Dolittle did through their language.
Q:Write a character sketch of Dr. Dolittle.
Ans:Dr. Dolittle was kind, loving, patient, and sympathetic. He cared for animals deeply, learned their language, and treated them as friends. His uniqueness and love made him a true friend of animals.
MCQS
1. Who is the author of Animals, Birds and Dr. Dolittle?
a) William Hickson
b) Hugh Lofting ✅
c) Helen Keller
d) Rabindranath Tagore
2. Who was Dr. Dolittle?
a) A teacher
b) A doctor who loved animals ✅
c) A king
d) A scientist
3. What was special about Dr. Dolittle?
a) He could talk to animals ✅
b) He could fly
c) He was very rich
d) He was invisible
4. What was the name of Dr. Dolittle’s parrot?
a) Polly
b) Polynesia ✅
c) Peter
d) Pip
5. Who taught Dr. Dolittle the language of animals?
a) His mother
b) Polynesia ✅
c) His friend
d) No one
6. Why did people stop visiting Dr. Dolittle?
a) Because he was sick
b) Because he kept many animals ✅
c) Because he moved away
d) Because he was angry
7. What pets did Dr. Dolittle have?
a) Dogs, cats, ducks, parrots ✅
b) Only dogs
c) Only cats
d) No pets
8. What profession did Dr. Dolittle become famous for?
a) Human doctor
b) Veterinarian ✅
c) Teacher
d) Farmer
9. Why did animals come from faraway places?
a) To eat food
b) To get treated by Dr. Dolittle ✅
c) To play
d) To fight
10. How did Dr. Dolittle treat animals?
a) Kindly and patiently ✅
b) Harshly
c) Indifferently
d) Rarely
11. What lesson does the story teach?
a) Wealth is most important
b) Kindness to animals ✅
c) Never help anyone
d) Laziness is good
12. What did people think of Dr. Dolittle?
a) Strange ✅
b) Ordinary
c) Rich
d) Famous
13. Which animal was Dr. Dolittle’s teacher?
a) Dog
b) Parrot ✅
c) Cat
d) Duck
14. How did Dr. Dolittle learn animal language?
a) By reading
b) Through Polynesia ✅
c) By practice
d) He already knew
15. What does the word ‘veterinarian’ mean?
a) A teacher
b) A doctor for animals ✅
c) A king
d) A scientist
16. How did animals feel in Dr. Dolittle’s house?
a) Happy and safe ✅
b) Afraid
c) Hungry
d) Angry
17. Why was Dr. Dolittle famous among animals?
a) He gave them food
b) He could understand and cure them ✅
c) He played with them
d) He painted pictures
18. How did Polynesia help Dr. Dolittle?
a) By teaching him human language
b) By teaching him animal language ✅
c) By bringing food
d) By playing games
19. What kind of house did Dr. Dolittle have?
a) Empty
b) Full of animals ✅
c) Ordinary
d) Tiny
20. Which quality was most important in Dr. Dolittle?
a) Greed
b) Kindness ✅
c) Anger
d) Laziness
21. Why did Dr. Dolittle prefer animals over humans?
a) They were loyal and loving ✅
b) Humans were mean
c) Animals were silent
d) Humans were noisy
22. How did Dr. Dolittle communicate with animals?
a) Writing
b) Animal language ✅
c) Gestures only
d) Music
23. What is Polynesia?
a) Dog
b) Parrot ✅
c) Cat
d) Duck
24. How did Dr. Dolittle’s life change after learning animal language?
a) He became famous ✅
b) He became poor
c) He stopped working
d) He left animals
25. Who was Dr. Dolittle’s first student of animal language?
a) Dog
b) Cat
c) Parrot ✅
d) Duck
26. What does the story show about animals?
a) They are friends ✅
b) They are useless
c) They are dangerous
d) They are greedy
27. Why did animals trust Dr. Dolittle?
a) Because he gave them food
b) Because he treated them with love ✅
c) Because he played games
d) Because he had money
28. How did Dr. Dolittle treat humans?
a) Neglected them ✅
b) Loved them more than animals
c) Ignored them
d) Treated them harshly
29. What message does the story give children?
a) Love and care for animals ✅
b) Ignore animals
c) Focus only on humans
d) Avoid pets
30. What word describes Dr. Dolittle best?
a) Kind ✅
b) Cruel
c) Angry
d) Lazy
31. What did Polynesia symbolize?
a) Knowledge and guidance ✅
b) Playfulness
c) Wealth
d) Danger
32. How did Dr. Dolittle become popular worldwide?
a) By helping humans
b) By curing animals ✅
c) By building houses
d) By writing books
33. What is the main idea of the story?
a) Adventure
b) Kindness to animals ✅
c) Travel
d) Wealth
34. What kind of doctor was Dr. Dolittle?
a) Human doctor
b) Animal doctor ✅
c) Surgeon
d) Dentist
35. How did Dr. Dolittle gain knowledge?
a) Through school
b) By learning animal language ✅
c) By traveling
d) By reading books only
36. What was unique about Dr. Dolittle?
a) He could fly
b) He could talk to animals ✅
c) He was rich
d) He was tall
37. How did animals show gratitude?
a) By loving and obeying him ✅
b) By leaving him
c) By being angry
d) By playing tricks
38. What lesson can humans learn from the story?
a) To respect and care for animals ✅
b) To ignore animals
c) To focus only on money
d) To travel more
39. Which of these was NOT a pet of Dr. Dolittle?
a) Dogs
b) Parrots
c) Ducks
d) Horses ✅
40. Why is Dr. Dolittle remembered?
a) Because he was rich
b) Because he treated and loved animals ✅
c) Because he built hospitals
d) Because he wrote poems
